Bailey to get checked out

Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey was headed back to Cincinnati Thursday afternoon after he suffered a right shoulder spasm during a 10-4 loss to the Phillies. Bailey allowed four runs and five hits with one intentional walk and two strikeouts for a no-decision. The injury came as a hitter during a fourth-inning at-bat when he grounded out to first base. The club did not know the seriousness of the injury.

“He said he just felt some discomfort on the swing when he was hitting,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “You could tell his velocity went down quite a bit after that.”

Bailey has been exceptional this season with a 3-1 record and 3.00 ERA five starts. His season started on the disabled list because of an impingement in the same shoulder.

“It’s a little different,” Baker said. “He just said he felt pain when he went to reach when he was swinging. We’ll have to wait to see what we hear from Dr. Kremchek tomorrow.”

This was a development the Reds didn’t need. Not after Volquez got sent down on Monday. Not after Arroyo lasted 2 2/3 innings on Monday and had to get an MRI Tuesday because of back pain. And certainly not after they endured a gut-wrenching 19-inning loss on Wednesday.

Notes:

*Daryl Thompson had to kind of be sacrificed as he allowed five runs, six hits and five walks over three innings after Bailey’s depature. Based on the last few days, injuries to LeCure and Maloney, Fisher being unavailable and with six more games until another day off, there was no other choice.

*Thompson was pitching in the Majors for the Reds for the first time since 7/2/08 vs. PIT.

*The rotation has pitched 21 1/3 innings the last five games, including the Volquez start in Cleveland. The bullpen has had 31 innings pitched over that same span.

*Mike Leake is definitely making the start on Friday, Baker said. Expect a corresponding roster move on Friday. GM Walt Jocketty will be in Atlanta. I wouldn’t be shocked if a second pitcher is added to provide bullpen depth. Just speculating, but Chad Reineke is scheduled to start for Louisville on Friday and has a 2.61 ERA. There is a spot open on the 40-man should he be summoned.

*Jay Bruce is seemingly locking up Player of the Month honors for May. In this series alone, he was 9-for-21 (.429) with three home runs and 11 RBIs. In his last eight games, he’s hitting .486 (17-for-35). He has homered in four of his last five games and in five of his last eight.

Quotes:

“I don’t know how many more changes we have, you know what I mean? Walt will be in Atlanta tonight and we’ll get together and try to figure this thing out. You can’t be sinking too much deeper or too much faster.” — Reds manager Dusty Baker

“Sometimes when both teams are coming out, they’ll be kind of dead, but when you win a game like that, usually there’s still some effect to it, I believe. Guys wanna come out and get after it. We got a good start on ‘em today plus we had a good pitcher going.” — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel

“It’s tough. We’ve kind of been exhausting every option. We’ll get the hit and can’t hold the lead. Or we’ll hold the lead and can’t get the hit. It’s just back and forth and it’s going to pass though.” — Jay Bruce

My arm felt good and everything felt fine. It was just adrenaline and trying to make something happen pretty much instead of trying to relax and throw the ball and do what I’ve been doing all season.” — Daryl Thompson

*****FYI, I am taking the Atlanta series off. I will be back on the case Monday.

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